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Travel Insurance for Trip Cancellation

Learn what's covered if you have booked and paid for your trip and unexpectedly need to cancel.

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Trip Cancellation Travel Insurance: At a Glance

  • Covers prepaid, non-refundable travel costs if your trip is cancelled for insured reasons
  • May cover cancellation due to sudden illness, injury or death
  • Natural disasters, severe weather and strikes may be covered
  • Covers cancellation if a travelling companion becomes seriously ill
  • May apply if your employer cancels approved leave or makes you redundant
  • Benefits depend on your policy plan, country of residence, and cancellation limits
  • Claims require evidence like receipts, bookings and cancellation notices
  • Always check the PDS for full terms, conditions, limits and exclusions.

Sometimes travel plans change in the blink of an eye. It could be an unexpected illness or injury to natural disasters or sudden strikes; trip cancellations can happen for many reasons. Having travel insurance cover for trip cancellation may help recover some of your prepaid, non-refundable costs if an insured event ruins your trip.

Here’s how World Nomads travel insurance may help Kiwi travellers planning their next holiday.

What can World Nomads travel insurance cover if I need to cancel?

If you need to cancel or reschedule your trip due to specific insured events, then you may be covered for up to 14 specific insured events including, sudden illness or injury, or a natural disaster. For example:

  • Your sudden death, sudden illness, or serious injury, or the sudden death, sudden illness or serious injury of your close relative requiring hospitalisation
  • The sudden death, sudden illness or serious injury of a member of your travelling party
  • Your transport is cancelled or delayed because of severe weather, natural disaster, or strike
  • You're made redundant or your employer cancels your pre-arranged leave.

If your claim is approved, you may be reimbursed up to policy limits for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses such as flights, accommodation, tours or activities.

Important: The amount covered for cancellation depends on whether you have purchased the Standard or Explorer Plan.

What you need to do if you can’t travel anymore

If your trip is cancelled, you’ll need to:

  • Contact your travel provider and let them know you are cancelling as soon as possible. Try to seek a refund from them first before making a claim.
  • You can contact the emergency assistance team for help 24/7.

When lodging a claim:

  • You’ll need to submit supporting evidence - for example, booking confirmations, receipts, or cancellation notices from your airline or tour company.
  • You can start a claim or contact us via the World Nomads member portal.

Cancellation coverage starts from the date your Certificate of Insurance is issued (or 72 hours after if you buy travel insurance while already overseas). Only events that occur after that date are considered.

What’s not covered by travel insurance?

Our travel insurance plans don’t cover everything. Some of the things we can’t cover you for include:

  • Cancelling because you changed your plans or no longer wish to travel
  • The event was foreseeable and a known event when you purchased your policy
  • Not following government travel advice or warnings. To find out the latest government advice go to the SafeTravel website
  • Claims relating to existing medical conditions except as described in ‘Health conditions & your policy.’
  • Not providing the documentation required to support your claim.

This is not a full list of what's covered and not covered. Terms, conditions, limits, exclusions apply, please read your Policy Document carefully and contact us if you have any questions.

Travel tips for Kiwis

  • Keep copies of all bookings, receipts, and travel documents
  • Your travel insurance cancellation policy must be active before the event occurs
  • Contact your airline or tour operator first, as they may offer refunds or credits before you lodge a claim.
This is only a summary of cover and does not include the full terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions of the policy. You should read your Policy Document in full, so you understand what is and isn’t covered. If you are unsure about your level of travel cover, please contact us for help.

The information provided is of a general nature and is provided for information purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice in any form and should not be relied on as a substitute for obtaining professional advice that is specific to your circumstances. You should seek advice from a financial advice provider if you would like further information about whether a particular product is appropriate for you and your circumstances.

FAQs: Trip cancellation cover for New Zealand travellers

Here are our most frequently asked questions about buying travel insurance for cancellation. You can also find the answers to other questions in our helpdesk or you can ask the customer service team. 

  • Do I need to provide receipts?
    When cancelling or rescheduling your trip you will need to provide evidence of purchases and cancellation/rescheduling. If you can’t provide associated receipts your claim may be denied. Read your Policy Document to ensure you’re familiar with claim requirements.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Protect your trip from unexpected cancellation.

  • Explorer Plan: Unlimited
  • Standard Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
  • Are you, your family sick, injured or deceased?
  • Has one of your relatives died?
  • Has a bushfire damaged your home?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Overseas

Take the pain out of medical costs.

  • Explorer Plan: Unlimited
  • Standard Plan: $5,000,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need medicine?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transport

We'll get you to hospital in a flash

  • Explorer Plan: Unlimited
  • Standard Plan: $500,000
Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Banged up overseas?
  • Medivac needed home?
  • You died overseas?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Cover your stolen or damaged gear and tech.

  • Explorer Plan: $10,000
  • Standard Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
  • Damaged docs?
  • Passport pilfered?
  • Tech Trashed?

Help starts here.

  • Overseas Medical Expenses
  • Emergency dental treatment
  • 24 hour assistance
  • Emergency medical transport & repatriation
  • Cancellation costs
  • Trip interruption costs
  • Compassionate emergency visit home
  • Resumption of trip
  • Theft or accidental damage to baggage and personal items
  • Baggage delay over 12 hours
  • Funeral expenses overseas or repatriation of remains
  • Personal liability
This is a general summary for New Zealand residents only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Check the policy documents for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

If you need medical assistance or emergency medical evacuation our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.

Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?

From New Zealand & Overseas:
+61 2 8263 0470 or
+61 2 8292 1470
(reverse charges via an operator from anywhere in the world)

Within Australia (Free call): 1800 611 210